Opera TV Snap hits the prime time

Opera TV’s Snap technology is expanding to even more online video platforms, as Opera Software becomes first in the industry to launch a portal that takes content owners from TV app creation to deployment – for free. Now, even more publishers of online video content can join in the fastest way to reach new audiences on millions of Smart TV devices.

First launched in 2013 supporting only one video platform, the next-generation Opera TV Snap is now a one-stop shop for multiple platforms including Brightcove Video Cloud and channel formats like Media RSS (MRSS). This comes together in the TV app creation portal accessible from operasoftware.com/tvsnap/, delivering on Opera’s promise to make it simple to bring great online content to TV screens. Opera TV Snap enables content providers to package online video channels into ready-to-run TV apps – with no cost, no cumbersome development, and in almost no time.

The revamped end-to-end solution makes it even simpler to bring content owners through the entire process of app development, monetisation and distribution. Opera TV Snap takes care of app creation, monetization via leading advertising platform Opera Mediaworks, as well as deployment on millions of devices with the Opera TV Store application platform – ensuring rapid time to market. The Opera TV Store has been selected by 11 major television and set-top-box manufacturers including Sony, TiVo and Samsung, as well as pay-TV operators.

The enhanced Opera TV Snap now features:

Support for some of the biggest online video platforms in the world, including Brightcove Video Cloud, where publisher partners can now re-purpose their content to target the biggest screen in the home

Media RSS (MRSS) support for video RSS feeds from publishers who host content on their own services and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) support for live video streams

Sleeker app design and navigation, plus performance improvements for end users including dynamic loading of videos

The ability to monetise apps with advertisements shown between videos, with the Opera-hosted ad client served as an iFrame

“There is no faster way for video content publishers to enter the living room, which was our exact vision in developing Opera TV Snap,” says Aneesh Rajaram, Senior Vice-President for TV and Devices, Opera Software. “Having already realised the potential of PCs, mobile and tablets, publishers can now attack the world of TVs, which offers a far bigger and more engaging experience. We’ve made it easy for them with Opera TV Snap, and we are excited to welcome even more video content providers and bring audiences new entertainment opportunities.”

“Our customers are constantly seeking to reach new audiences, and Opera TV Snap offers them expanded opportunities for viewer reach through innovative TV apps and makes it quick and easy for our customers to migrate their video content to the biggest screen in the home,” said Shiri Friedman, Director of Technology Partnerships, Brightcove.